Asphalt Review - Volume 29 Number 2 (June / July 2010)

ASPHALT REVIEW
CEO’s report
I am writing this just as the 14th AAPA
Road Construction and Surfacing
Health and Safety Conference has
concluded. There were many very
interesting discussions and we will
feature some of these in the next edition
of Asphalt Review.
The conference raised a range of
issues from the structure of various
bitumen hoses to the new national
model health and safety laws. It
also discussed a range of technical
innovations and legislative issues such
as the traffic management registration
scheme in Queensland.
One of the highlights of the
conference was the papers on safety
around road construction work sites,
particularly on the benefits of reducing
motorist speed around those sites to
zero; that is to close the road. These
discussions were followed by a panel
discussion and workshop on working
under traffic, speed management and
enforcement.
These discussions noted that some
motorists may be distracted as they
pass worksites. They may be using their
mobile phone, changing their radio
station or even having a morning coffee.
Others may be affected by drink or
drugs. In some cases, motorists are just
in a hurry and ignore speed limits.
The preferred safety option is therefore
to close the road. Road closures not only
increase safety, they also usually result
in significant cost and time savings. But
it is not always possible to close a road.
In these cases, it is important that all
those involved in the project continue
to focus on safety with the aim always
being zero incidents.
To achieve this requires every
person involved to be vigilant. Traffic
controllers must be suitably trained
and equipped, signage must be accurate
and visible – and removed when it is
not required. Protective barriers must
be well positioned and designed –
including filling plastic barriers with
water and securing them together.
Appropriate clothing is also essential,
both day and night.
Another significant part of the
conference was a workshop for health
John Lambert,
CEO, AAPA
and safety representatives from AAPA
branches to meet and identify key areas
that AAPA should focus on over the next
two years. This workshop identified
a number of potential opportunities
including preparing an AAPA model
check list to be used when closing a
worksite to ensure signage is removed,
better sharing of industry alerts and
providing industry-relevant training to
handle dangerous goods.
A report on this workshop will be
prepared for discussion in the AAPA
State Branches.
Many of the delegates at the conference
commented that it was a great success
and that they will be taking a lot of
significant learnings from it. I would
therefore like to thank Scott Mathews
and Denise McQueen from Hallmark
Editions, the conference organisers,
for a great conference. I also thank
the Platinum Sponsor, Fulton Hogan,
and Bronze sponsor, Sparke Helmore
Lawyers, as well as all the presenters
who put so much into this conference.
The other major event that has
occurred recently in our industry is the
commencement of the AAPA/Austroads
Warm Mix Validation Project. This is a
major project supported by AAPA and
state road authorities to validate the
hypothesis that warm mix is equal or
better than hot mix asphalt. There is an
article in this edition of Asphalt Review
detailing this project and I recommend
that you read it.
The project highlights the strength of
AAPA to bring together both industry
and state road authority members to
work together for the common good of
our industry.
AAPA has successfully worked for 40
years to support our industry and will
continue to do so for many years to
come. The warm mix project is just one
example of many significant projects
that have and are being undertaken
nationally and in individual states. For
example; at present AAPA is currently
undertaking studies into perpetual
pavements, sprayer calibration and
skid resistance. It is also constantly
updating its training courses and
in conjunction with Austroads, the
Pavement Work Tips series.
Through its liaison groups, AAPA
is bringing together industry and
government agencies to help grow
our industry and make even better
roads. Most recently, this has led to a
Bituminous Surfacing Working Group
being established in the Northern
Territory. A State Executive Officer is
also being sought in Western Australia
to support our industry in that state.
An advertisement for that position is
included in this Asphalt Review.
AAPA is also working to produce
a range of material to support our
industry. This includes a publication
on Environmental and Safety benefits
of flexible pavements and a new DVD
highlighting the importance of flexible
pavements to the economic and social
growth of Australia.
AAPA also represents our industry
in negotiations with the Federal
Government over issues such as
greenhouse reporting and through
working in bodies such as Roads
Australia. AAPA’s membership of the
Global Asphalt Pavement Alliance
allows it to make available the latest
information on developments from
around the world.
AAPA will therefore continue to
serve the flexible pavements industry
to achieve a sustainable, growing, safe
and knowledgeable industry.
16 ROADS JUNE 2010/JULY 2010